India Semester

Himalayas to the Ganges River

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

Duration

Description

Immerse yourself in the rich fabric of Indian life: trek through the Himalayas, redefine family, and gain insight into India’s vast diversity of people, cultures, and landscapes.

Spring Dates

Feb 7 - May 1, 2020

Spring Availability

open

Fall Dates

Sep 15 - Dec 6, 2019

Fall Availability

closed

Number of Participants

12

Suggested Ages

17-22

Spring Begins In

21 Weeks

Fall Begins In

0Days

Land Cost

$14,915

Estimated Flight Cost

$1,995

New Delhi

Kolkata

Kalimpong

Gangtok

Santiniketan

The Sundarbans

Program Overview

Experience the diversity of 21st century India from the mountains to the plains.

From the expanse of the Gangetic Plains to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, our India semester offers students insight into India’s vast diversity of people, cultures, and landscapes. The program begins in Kalimpong, a town surrounded by verdant tea fields in the rolling Himalayan foothills. Students settle into homestays, spending their days learning from local teachers, businessmen, and community leaders and taking up apprenticeships with artists, musicians, healers, and cultivators. By living with and learning from communities which practice Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and types of shamanism, students get deep insight into the religious practices and traditions that shape the beliefs of their hosts. Visiting Darjeeling, we engage with India’s rich and complicated past, learning about the political movements for statehood among the Nepali population that has been established there since colonial days. We also visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre,…

From the expanse of the Gangetic Plains to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, our India semester offers students insight into India’s vast diversity of people, cultures, and landscapes. The program begins in Kalimpong, a town surrounded by verdant tea fields in the rolling Himalayan foothills. Students settle into homestays, spending their days learning from local teachers, businessmen, and community leaders and taking up apprenticeships with artists, musicians, healers, and cultivators. By living with and learning from communities which practice Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and types of shamanism, students get deep insight into the religious practices and traditions that shape the beliefs of their hosts. Visiting Darjeeling, we engage with India’s rich and complicated past, learning about the political movements for statehood among the Nepali population that has been established there since colonial days. We also visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre, which has offered refuge and livelihoods to the exiled Tibetan community since 1959.

Traveling north to the ancient Himalayan Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim, students settle into a group stay with the indigenous Lepcha community, learning about their land’s fragile ecosystem, traditional plants, farming alongside family members, going on day hikes through lush forests, and listening to folk tales in the evenings. The group embarks on a trek with majestic views of the south face of mighty Kanchenjunga, the world’s 3rd tallest peak. Off the trail, the group settles into a retreat at a local Tibetan Buddhist monastery, gaining insight into Buddhist philosophy and learning meditation techniques.

An overnight train brings us out of the mountains and into the plains. We spend two weeks in the rural town of Santiniketan, located in the heart of southern Bengal’s agricultural expanse and known for its rich culture, artistic heritage, and indigenous traditions. Venturing into the surrounding rice paddies and forests to farm and explore, we witness the community’s dependence on the land and hear first-hand how changing and weather patterns have affected harvests. We stay with Hindu and Muslim families living and practicing their religions side-by-side. Hindu festivals and daily puja punctuate the days and weeks with prayer, celebration, and song; Baul musicians strum single-stringed ektara to accompany Sufi Muslim folk songs, accompanied by harmonium and a variety of local percussion, late into the evening.

We travel south by ferry into the Sundarbans National Park, a labyrinthine mangrove forest that connects the Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers with the Bay of Bengal. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique ecosystem, but heavily affected by climate change and rising sea levels, the Sundarbans offer deep insight into the themes of conservation, human ecology, and resource management. Conversations with the communities living on the fringes of the forest allow us to hear personal stories which highlight the tension between humans and nature and identify the compelling factors behind urban migration.

A visit to Kolkata, India’s colonial capital, offers a contrast and glimpse into another of India’s myriad facets. Strolling along the city’s wide-tree lined avenues and watching pick-up cricket games in the city’s expansive parks, we get a unique insight into cosmopolitan Indian life. According to the group’s interests, we will have the option to embark on a student led trip to explore places such as Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Rajasthan, or neighboring states Assam or Meghalaya. The program shifts back to the tranquility of the Himalayan foothills for its final days, offering a peaceful environment to process and reflect on the journey.

For-Credit Course Option

In order to deepen your experience abroad, you may elect to enroll in a college-level language course while participating on the India Gap semester program. Those who enroll in an optional course will be invoiced additional fees on top of the land cost, as noted below.

For-Credit Course Fees (1 course)

Type

$800

Transcript Fee

$400

For-Credit Academic Fee

$1,200

TOTAL COST

Students who take a course for-credit will receive a transcript from Dragons School of Record after successful completion of the program. To read more about the for-credit courses visit our FAQ Page.

Academics

The optional for-credit language course is worth 4 semester credits and is offered at a variety of levels. Included below are course descriptions for the language courses available:

Nepali Language Study Level I, II & III (NPL 150/250/350; 4 credits)

NPL: 150 Nepali I (Nepali Language 150; 4 credits) This course introduces students to the Nepali language and is designed for students with no or minimal previous background in spoken or written Nepali. Students in this course focus on learning essential vocabulary, practicing pronunciation, and understanding simple grammatical structures. This knowledge prepares students to effectively communicate in Nepali on a limited range of topics related to everyday situations. Students practice listening and speaking in real-life situations, learn to read and write Nepali script (Devanagari script), and examine how culture and language interact in Nepal. In-class activities and course assignments aim to assist students as they develop the oral proficiency and confidence necessary to initiate simple conversations. Out-of-classroom experiences such a field trips and guided interactions with native speakers supplement formal classroom instruction and provide ample opportunities for practical engagement. In addition, language skills gained in this course support students to deepen participation in other program and academic activities such as homestays and the Independent Study Project.

NPL: 250 Nepali II (Nepali Language 250; 4 credits) This course introduces students to more challenging linguistic Nepali language material in order to establish a solid foundation for the use of the language. Students in this course focus on building on past language exposure to improve speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Students expand their oral expression abilities by increasing vocabulary, improving understanding of grammar concepts, strengthening pronunciation abilities, focusing on listening comprehension, and building on previously studied Nepali script (Devanagari script). This course introduces new language concepts to allow students to speak about topics pertaining to their daily lives and also focuses on deepening knowledge of Nepali culture and customs. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to engage in basic daily conversations, read simple texts, and write for daily needs. In-class activities and course assignments aim to assist students as they develop the ability to appropriately use language and improve proficiency. Out-of-classroom experiences such a field trips and guided interactions with native speakers supplement formal classroom instruction and provide ample opportunities for practical engagement. In addition, language skills gained in this course support students to deepen participation in other program and academic activities such as homestays and the Independent Study Project.

NPL: 350 Nepali III (Nepali Language 350; 4 credits) This course is designed to develop advanced skills in the Nepali language and is intended for students with extensive prior exposure to the language. This course focuses on consolidating linguistic knowledge and development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Students in this course will develop advanced comprehension of and competence in using spoken Nepali in a wide-variety of experiences. Grammatical functions will be reviewed and incorporated as they relate to particular communication needs. A mix of communicative and interactive methods are used to develop advanced proficiency and materials are drawn from a variety of media sources and texts. In addition, students develop their understanding of the relationship between the Nepali language and culture. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to express sophisticated and nuanced ideas both orally and in writing. Out-of-classroom experiences such a field trips and guided interactions with native speakers supplement formal classroom instruction and provide ample opportunities for practical engagement. In addition, language skills gained in this course support students to deepen participation in other program and academic activities such as homestays and the Independent Study Project.

In addition, you may petition to take an additional for-credit course in order to earn a total of 8 semester credits. Other for-credit courses which may be available upon petition, include Regional Seminar, Independent Study Project (ISP): Methods and Application, or Intercultural Development and Global Citizenship. Contact us with questions about for-credit course options, to learn about registration deadlines, or for copies of sample syllabi.

Read more about why we teach Nepali Language instead of Hindi Language:

India has 22 official languages (with more than 700 dialects spoken across the country), including language such as Hindi and Nepali. Nepali is the mother tongue of the majority of residents of the Himalayan foothills in northern Bengal and Sikkim, and this is an area that groups often spend a significant portion of the semester. Because our Gap semester groups tend to spend more time in Nepali speaking areas than Hindi speaking areas, this is the target language we focus on and the for-credit language course we offer. India Gap semester students wishing to study the Hindi language are welcome to choose this as their Independent Study Project.

Program Components

5/5

Comparative Religion

Inquire deeply into Hindu mythology, philosophy and practice. Learn about Buddhist philosophy and attend a meditation retreat, see Islam in its Indian context, and explore animism as it's been practiced for generations.

Development Studies

Focus Of Inquiry

Witness firsthand the impact of climate change on diverse ecosystems, and see how environments and people have responded and adapted to these pressures.

5/5

Homestay

Two extended homestays, one in the Himalayan foothills and another in an idyllic Bengali plains town, give deep cultural insight and redefine the notion of family.

5/5

Independent Study Project (ISP)

Pick an area of interest and dive in with a local mentor! Sitar, tabla, Indian cooking, Kathak dance, Hindi or Urdu language, vocals, women’s issues, comparative religion, stone carving, woodworking, and jewelry making are some popular options.

4/5

Language Study

Learn some basic Nepali, the lingua franca of those living in north Bengal and Sikkim, and immerse yourself in Bengali, with regular lessons and immersive practice. There may also be opportunities for Hindi language lessons.

2/5

Learning Service

Reflect on the meaning of service in the context of Indian culture and explore the meaning of reciprocity with youth in Sikkim.

3/5

Rugged Travel

Travel by rickshaw, bus, jeep train, and boat into the Himalayas, across the vast plains, and through the Sundarban mangrove forest.

3/5

Trekking

Trek for ten days in the high Himalaya near Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third tallest peak. Go on day hikes in the Himalayan foothills, and explore the dense labyrinthine Sundarban mangrove forest on foot.

Photo Gallery

Click on the gallery below to browse photos, videos and quotes from our participants and instructors.

Testimonials

“I learned so much from the different people that we met and the people on the course. I learned a lot just from being in a place that’s so different from anywhere else I’ve been. And each activity or lesson we had taught me something new.”

Maeve Cosgrove

India Semester

I felt safe, but not restricted. [My instructors] were there to make sure that things were running well, and not...telling us what we could and couldn't do. I think that this forced us to take responsibility for our involvement and choices throughout the trip...

Geoffrey Merz India Semester: Himalayas to the Ganges River

I've learned most from the friends who lead lives so different from mine. The Ladakhi guides, the Buddhist monks and nuns, my guru ji, my host family. All these friendships I feel so lucky to have made because they have been the thing that really opened my eyes to how diverse the world can be...and really reformed my world view.

A 3-Month Gap Year Program

A Closer Look

A student turns prayer wheels in a monastery in Northern India. Photo by Parker Pflaum.

A game of frisbee always lifts the spirits. Photo by Christy Sommers.

Afternoons with Agam-ji

Agam-Ji–my graying moustachioed, slightly red haired, bespectacled jewelery making mentor–sits cross legged in his little work shop. He is working on a beautiful silver bangle, shaving the spot he has just soldered. He is surrounded by tools of all sizes and variety. “So many tools” he says lovingly, “I am like a child in a sweet shop, when I see a new tool, I must have. One day or another, I will use… I hope!” He laughs.

Maggie Perkins India Semester: Himalayas to the Ganges River

Long shadows while trekking in the high Himalayas. Photo by Michael Woodard.

Saris sparkle in afternoon light. Photo by Caleb Brooks.

A student practices kathak, a traditional Indian dance, for her ISP presentation. Photo by Olivia Krause.

Shearing sheep high in the Himalayas. Photo by Caleb Brooks.

Practicing Hindi and drinking chai. Photo by Michael Woodard.

A Ladakhi mother feels shy in front of the lens while her daughter experiments with echoes in a disconnected water pipe. Photo by Caleb Brooks.

A student practices kathak, a traditional Indian dance, with her mentor. Photo by Susie Rinehart.

Prayer flags are flown in sacred places, high and windy places, where it is believed the mantras printed on them blow blessings are blown into the heavens, sending prayers for peace and prosperity until the flags disintegrate in the wind.